Delta to recall 60 to 70 furloughed pilots

Delta Air Lines Inc. said Friday it is recalling 60 to 70 furloughed pilots this summer.

The Atlanta-based airline, the nation's third-largest carrier, said the move would help Delta meet new schedule demands and add flexibility to ensure good on-time performance.

The recalled pilots will begin training in late June and will return to line flying for Delta in late summer.

With the move, Delta will have about 6,000 pilots.

The airline's pilot ranks have thinned by several thousand over the last five years while Delta lost billions of dollars. Delta filed for bankruptcy in September.